2014 deadline for water charges agreed

Every household will have to pay water charges before the end of next year under the latest agreement signed with the troika by the Government, while doctors may be banned from prescribing drugs by brand name.

The Government has also agreed to set up a body to facilitate restructuring loans for SMEs that are experiencing difficulties, based on the experience of the Insolvency Service for people having problems repaying their loans.

Bank fees are also coming under the spotlight with the Government asked to carry out a study to compare the income banks receive in fees compared to other countries, and based on this will commission an outside body to review bank fees.